Delonte West pleads guilty to weapons charges

In Prince George’s County Circuit Court, Judge Graydon McKee sentenced West to eight months of electronic monitoring, two years of unsupervised probation, 40 hours of community service and psychological counseling.

Accompanied by his mother, girlfriend and uncle in court, West told Judge McKee he was ashamed.

He said he has been “put on a pedestal” because he can “dribble a basketball,” and worries about letting down youth who look up to athletes.

Authorities said the basketball player was carrying two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun and an 8½-inch Bowie knife while speeding on a three-wheel motorcycle on the Capital Beltway last September. Police said West, who lives in Brandywine, Md., was pulled over after cutting off an officer.

West’s attorney said the player had the weapons because he was transporting them from one home to another that he owns in the county, after his mother ordered him to remove them from one property.

Glad that Delonte didn’t end up in jail. He’ll almost certainly be waived, and a possible suspension could make it harder for him to get a contract from another team. Delonte can really play, but I worry if the fallout from this will keep him from getting back to the level he was at during the 08-09 season. I hope it doesn’t, because he’s everything you want a basketball player to be when his head is in the right place and he has a franchise who supports him.

If the Cavs can waive him and do something with the cash, then I hope they pool the trigger. If we can’t get better (short or long-term) by waiving him, then I hope we don’t just do it for a useless salary dump. In either event, I hope that Gilbert finds a way to continue to support him with his ‘issues’. This would show a degree of loyalty and class, not to mention just a good thing to do. I’d hate for Delonte to just be kicked to the curb without any support.

I really don’t see the point in waiving him now. Why not just hold on to him as a trade asset and the deadline. You still save the money. Only if htey have something planned right now does it makes sense, and when I look out at the FA landscape, I can’t see much potential.

Delonte career numbers: 10, 4, 3 in 28 min a game. Playoff numbers are even worse. He’s a marginal player, his production can be easily replaced by pretty much any 2 guard. Not sure why people like his game, I guess he’s solid defensively. But the ball sticks to his hands – he’s a slow decision maker. Way too much overdribbling and settling for mid range jumpers. Get rid of him, it’s not like he’s gonna breakout into a star or anything

the best thing he does is play hard. He is very physical and will play with everything he has whenever he is on the floor. Thats why people like him. He shows flashes of tremendous talent but can never really put it all together. I think that a stable team in need of a guard will take a chance on him. But the league is expecting us to cut him so he isnt worth much to us in trades other than his contract, which isnt guaranteed.

You can’t really accurately guage any players numbers who played alongside Quitness. When Delonte was on the floor without him he was a force. You are right he will probably never be an All Star but its not like they are paying him all star money either. If you put him in the current FA market he is probably the best available.

Logic, your description sells him short. When his mind is right — which, of course, often wasn’t the case this year — he’s a VERY good defender, and can create his own shot. He’s also an extremely athletic type who would fit an uptempo team. And in ’08-’09, he was a dead-eye from 3-pt range, although his shooting was erratic this year. You’re right about over-dribbling, but all things considered he’s an above-average player when his head’s right.

And as far as playoffs are concerned — this year he contributed next to nothing in the post-season, but last year he was probably the Cavs 2nd best post-season player, and the only one besides Lebron who played well throughout the ECF against Orlando. If they can move him now for a good asset due to his mostly non-guaranteed (as well as expiring) contract, then fine, but otherwise might as well keep him at least until the February deadline.

Hey Brian in DC- He contibuted nothing because he saw the floor for like ten minutes in each series. LeBlown Games wasn’t exactly wanting his babydaddy out there either. And it’s not like Mike Brown to actually figure out a decent rotation, anyway. West is tough, and plays totally balls-out every time.
Hey Gilbert if you’re reading-keep Delonte and keep the Fuck You LeBitch attitude, we love it.

Even if you don’t like Delonte, what does releasing him right now do? You can still move him at the deadline and not have to pay out his salary. Unless you desperately need that extra 4 million in cap space today (and seriously, they don’t. There is nothing out there that is going to require 17-18 million in cap space) then why release him? I’m not saying he’s a great player..or even a good player. Just saying you can get more out of him if you wait till February. Like Ben said, he’d be a great addition to the TPE in a deadline trade. Throw him at a contender, who knows that if it doesn’t work out he’ll be off the books in a few months. Or, throw him at a bad team over the cap. I mean, a lot of uses come February.

Delonte is my favorite Cav. He has personality, plays hard, and has an inspiring story. Also, he’s hilarious. I’d be pissed if we let him go, unless there is real value in it for the team. I’m totally willing to give him a pass for this season — he obviously had a major distraction.

The Cavs can go a long way toward helping their reputation among NBA players by keeping Delonte this year and supporting him through it. They did it last year when competing for a championship, it would be awfully decent and show real loyalty and compassion to do it this year when they are not in the mix for a title.

Delonte had virtually identical numbers with Boston. He really is not that special a player. Not sure if you were trying to boost up Delonte or bring down LeBron, but LeBron had nothing to do with Delonte’s mediocre numbers.

Logic: His numbers are very consistant from Bos to Cle because his role was very similar. He’s a quick, athletic, 2 that can play limited 1 and defend. He’s generally the 3rd or sometimes 2nd scoring option which is what makes his numbers so solid. He’s not been tasked to be a scorer and doesn’t over-shoot. This is a strength of his – he fits into multiple systems because he’s accepted his role. He’s not worth all-star money, but clearly more than the league min – a good mid level exception type player. Don’t look at stats in a buble cause they don’t tell the full story without looking at the system, team and role a player is asked to play.

If the Cavs do waive him, I wish they would do it as early as possible to give him maximum time to find a new team. Some people make a big deal of LBJ waiting to make his decison and putting the Cavs in a bad position about being able to implement ‘plan B’ – so don’t make Delonte wait unnecessarily either. I hope the Cavs keep him because I think he fits well into the system, however with his baggage I do understand why we may want to let him go.

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